BIOREFINERIES IN EUROPE - IEA Bioenergy Task 42
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BIOREFINERIES IN
EUROPE
Final Report
16/12/2020
Preface
‘Biorefineries in Europe’ is a study conducted by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi). This is
the first time such detailed information has been collected and compiled on forest-based biorefineries at the
European level. The study was conducted between the months of February to November 2020, which coincided
with the COVID-19 pandemic which, of course, was continuing even as the study was completed. Like any other
activities, the pandemic also affected implementation of the study.
We’d like to thank the Cepi Mirror group for its help and guidance during the study. Input from the Mirror group
has been invaluable in getting the study completed. The Cepi Mirror group consisted of Antti Tahvanainen
(Finnish Forest Industries), Sverker Danielsson, (Swedish Forest Industries), Renate Kepplinger (Austropapier), and
Annita Westenbroek (Royal VNP). Together we set a frame for this unprecedented study.
The project team consisted of experts within NC Partnering network including Mark Rushton, Daniel Paul Dima,
Anna Nikkilä, Aimo Mustamäki, Tuomo Niemi and Stefan Fors. Special thanks belong to Professor Olli Dahl from
Aalto University, who helped us to navigate between different bio-based products.
We’d also like to thank Bernard Lombard, Cepi Trade & Industrial Policy Director, who has facilitated the
cooperation within the industry and with the pulp and paper associations across Europe, as well as assisting with
his expertise and securing regular communications as the study progressed to its conclusion.
On behalf of project team,
Jukka Kantola
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Executive summary
Background
Cepi launched its 2050 Roadmap in 2011. With it came a proposal that by 2050 Europe’s forest fibre industries
would be decarbonised by 80%, while creating 50% more added value. In November 2019, European pulp and
paper industry CEOs declared their intention to be at the forefront of the 2050 decarbonisation efforts by
reducing the impact of their operations on climate change, while also increasing production in Europe. The CEOs
outlined their plans to contribute to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. The contribution of forests as a net sink
and the substitution of fossil-based materials and fossil energy will help meet this challenge.
In the future, a growing share of the added value generated by the industry will come from bio-based products
other than pulp and paper. European pulp and paper companies are developing more and more business related
to new bio-based products, as a complement to their ‘traditional’ bio-based products. Recently, some major
investments in new and existing biorefineries were announced and some are now moving towards
implementation.
The objective of this first wood-based biorefinery study is to register biorefineries in Europe and identify what
products they produce. Also, the goal was to identify the value of the new bio-based products.
The goals of this study are to:
1) develop a robust methodology
2) draw an exhaustive list of existing and planned biorefineries connected to chemical pulp manufacturing
and recycling in Europe and identify what products they produce and
3) provide estimates about investments, turnover, added value and jobs.
The target of having these insights is to get informed and inspired about the opportunities to expand the
valorisation of wood further than only pulp and paper products, thus contributing to the Cepi 2050 roadmap by
increasing the added value of the sector.
Methodology
The study was executed in 4 steps
• STEP1 – Defining the scope, Biorefinery concept, bio-based products
• STEP2 – Data Collection
• STEP3 – Data analysis
• STEP4 – Conclusions and reporting
Data analysis was carried out during October 2020 and the reporting and the conclusions of the study were
completed in November 2020.
To identify the potential direction of the industry, R&D programs were also analysed. The analysis mainly relied
on a Forest-based Technology Platform (FTP) database. Status analysis was completed by questionnaires for the
major institutes in Europe.
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Biorefineries and bio-based products definitions and segmentations were agreed on in April 2020, which gave a
frame for data collection. Data collection was based on public sources and was completed by questionnaires sent
to forest industry companies. The survey was conducted during the summer and autumn 2020.
Definitions
In the study we used following general definition for biorefineries:
A biorefinery is an overall concept of a processing plant where forest-based feedstock* is converted and
extracted into a spectrum of added value products.
*virgin and/or recycled fibres
In order to collect relevant information on biorefineries we used the following sub-categories:
Category 1: Biorefineries based on chemical pulping operations to produce various existing or evolving bio-
based products
Category 2: Biorefineries using virgin pulp and/or recycled fibres to produce evolving bio-based products
Category 3: Other biorefineries using lignocellulose as raw material to produce various existing or evolving bio-
based products
The main interest was on active biorefineries i.e. those which are already in commercial production and the
biorefineries in the survey are related to the pulp and paper industry. Planned biorefineries considered needed to
meet the following criteria: they have to have been publicly announced, have a location, a credible organisation
to execute plans, or at a mature stage, (for instance already holding permits), investment cost indicated, and start-
up year announced (in general within a 3 or 5-year horizon).
R&D programs are more open and do not necessarily always lead to investments. In this study R&D programs
were analysed to see in which directions the industry might develop.
In all cases the feedstocks are of primary forest origin (wood). Bioproducts are classified as materials, chemicals,
fuels, food/feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics and can be both for commercial and internal use. Classification
follows Cepi’s definition from 2017 (Appendix 1).
The value of the biorefinery sector is derived from the volumes of identified bio-based products combined with
the current market prices for each product. Market prices are based on the NC Partnering database.
Results
In the study, 139 biorefineries were identified and most of them were based on chemical pulping (84%). Also, a
total of 28 planned biorefineries were listed. The planned biorefineries share of new types of processes (other
than chemical pulping based, or paper production based) is becoming more substantial, being 16% of the total.
The turnover generated by other biobased products than pulp and paper is still rather small, being close to €2.7
billion, which corresponds to slightly less than 3% of European pulp and paper industry sector turnover as a
whole. Based on investment plans and R&D programs it is justified to expect the share of emerging bio-based
products to be substantially larger in the future.
Most common bio-based products – based on volumes
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1) Commercial production
• Man-made fibres
• Biodiesel
• Lignosulphonate
2) Planned
• Biodiesel and naphtha
• Lignin oil
• Biochemicals
Most common bio-based products – based on value (in terms of turnover)
1) Commercial production
• Man-made fibres
• Tall oil products
• Biodiesel and naphtha
2) Planned
• Biodiesel and naphtha
• Biochemicals
• Lignin oil
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Disclaimer
This report has been based on the data available at the time of its writing.
Data is sourced from company reports and interviews, press releases, and other public sources. During the study,
a survey regarding new bio-based products was conducted with companies in the industry. Data gathered from
this survey has also been used. If no data has been available, estimates based on the NCP database have been
used. The market prices are based on the NCP database.
Some countries can be partially overrepresented due to active participation to the survey conducted during the
study.
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Table of contents
Preface .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Executive summary................................................................................................................................................ 3
Disclaimer.............................................................................................................................................................. 6
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 10
2 Background of the study ................................................................................................................................ 10
3 Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 11
4 Definition of biorefinery ................................................................................................................................ 12
4.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 12
4.2 Category 1............................................................................................................................................... 13
4.3 Category 2............................................................................................................................................... 14
4.4 Category 3............................................................................................................................................... 15
5 Emerging bio-based products ........................................................................................................................ 16
5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 Materials................................................................................................................................................. 16
5.2.1 Biochar ........................................................................................................................................... 17
5.2.2 Bio-composite................................................................................................................................. 17
5.2.3 Cellulose nanofibres ....................................................................................................................... 17
5.2.4 Kraft Lignin ..................................................................................................................................... 17
5.2.5 Man-made-fibres ............................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.6 Microfibrillated cellulose ................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.7 Nanocrystalline cellulose ................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.8 Powdered cellulose......................................................................................................................... 18
5.3 Chemicals................................................................................................................................................ 18
5.3.1 Biopolymer ..................................................................................................................................... 18
5.3.2 Carbon dioxide................................................................................................................................ 19
5.3.3 Dimethyl ether................................................................................................................................ 19
5.3.4 Lignosulphonates ............................................................................................................................ 19
5.3.5 Methanol ........................................................................................................................................ 19
5.3.6 Monoethylene glycol ...................................................................................................................... 19
5.3.7 Monopropylene glycol .................................................................................................................... 20
5.3.8 Sulphuric acid ................................................................................................................................. 20
5.3.9 Tall oil products .............................................................................................................................. 20
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5.4 Fuels ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
5.4.1 Biodiesel ......................................................................................................................................... 20
5.4.2 Bioethanol ...................................................................................................................................... 21
5.4.3 Biogas ............................................................................................................................................. 21
5.4.4 Bio-oil ............................................................................................................................................. 21
5.4.5 Lignin oil ......................................................................................................................................... 21
5.4.6 Syngas ............................................................................................................................................ 21
5.5 Food and Feed ........................................................................................................................................ 21
5.5.1 Carboxymethyl cellulose ................................................................................................................. 22
5.5.2 Microcrystalline cellulose................................................................................................................ 22
5.5.3 Vanillin ........................................................................................................................................... 22
5.6 Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics..................................................................................................................... 22
6 Status of biorefineries in EU27 + Norway, Switzerland, UK............................................................................. 23
6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 23
6.2 Number of biorefineries in Europe .......................................................................................................... 25
6.3 Value of existing and emerging bio-based products in Europe ................................................................. 29
6.4 Status on country level ............................................................................................................................ 35
6.4.1 Austria ............................................................................................................................................ 36
6.4.2 Belgium .......................................................................................................................................... 37
6.4.3 Bulgaria .......................................................................................................................................... 37
6.4.4 Croatia ............................................................................................................................................ 38
6.4.5 Cyprus ............................................................................................................................................ 38
6.4.6 Czech Republic................................................................................................................................ 38
6.4.7 Denmark ......................................................................................................................................... 39
6.4.8 Estonia............................................................................................................................................ 39
6.4.9 Finland............................................................................................................................................ 40
6.4.10 France............................................................................................................................................. 41
6.4.11 Germany......................................................................................................................................... 42
6.4.12 Greece ............................................................................................................................................ 44
6.4.13 Hungary .......................................................................................................................................... 44
6.4.14 Ireland ............................................................................................................................................ 44
6.4.15 Italy ................................................................................................................................................ 44
6.4.16 Latvia .............................................................................................................................................. 45
6.4.17 Lithuania......................................................................................................................................... 45
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6.4.18 Luxemburg...................................................................................................................................... 46
6.4.19 Malta .............................................................................................................................................. 46
6.4.20 Netherlands .................................................................................................................................... 46
6.4.21 Norway ........................................................................................................................................... 47
6.4.22 Poland ............................................................................................................................................ 48
6.4.23 Portugal .......................................................................................................................................... 49
6.4.24 Romania ......................................................................................................................................... 50
6.4.25 Slovakia .......................................................................................................................................... 50
6.4.26 Slovenia .......................................................................................................................................... 51
6.4.27 Spain .............................................................................................................................................. 51
6.4.28 Sweden........................................................................................................................................... 51
6.4.29 Switzerland ..................................................................................................................................... 53
6.4.30 United Kingdom .............................................................................................................................. 54
7 R&D programs and consortiums of the evolving bio-based products ............................................................. 55
7.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 55
7.2 Findings .................................................................................................................................................. 55
8 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................... 56
9 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................... 57
List of figures ....................................................................................................................................................... 59
List of tables ........................................................................................................................................................ 59
Appendixes.......................................................................................................................................................... 59
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1 Introduction
Cepi launched its 2050 Roadmap in 2011. With it came a proposal that by 2050 Europe’s forest fibre industries
would be decarbonised by 80%, while creating 50% more added value. In November 2019, European pulp and
paper industry CEOs declared their intention to be at the forefront of the 2050 decarbonisation efforts by
reducing the impact of their operations on climate change, while also increasing production in Europe. The CEOs
outlined their plans to contribute to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. The contribution of forests as a net sink
and the substitution of fossil-based materials and fossil energy will help meet this challenge.
In the future, a growing share of the added value generated by the industry will come from bio-based products
other than pulp and paper. European pulp and paper companies are developing more and more business related
to new bio-based products as a complement to their ‘traditional’ bio-based products. Recently, some major
investments in new and existing biorefineries were announced and some are now moving towards
implementation.
The objective of the study is to register biorefineries in Europe and identify what products they produce. Also, the
goal was to identify the value of the new bio-based products.
The goals of this study are to:
1) develop a robust methodology
2) draw an exhaustive list of existing and planned biorefineries connected to chemical pulp manufacturing
and recycling in Europe and identify what products they produce and
3) provide estimates about investments, turnover, added value and jobs.
The target of having these insights is to get informed and inspired about the opportunities to expand the
valorisation of wood further than only pulp and paper products, thus contributing to the Cepi 2050 roadmap by
increasing the added value of the sector.
The study was launched in February 2020 and was completed in October 2020. The owner of the study is Cepi and
service provider was NC Partnering Ltd. The study was supported by a Cepi Mirror Group with experts from Cepi
member associations from Austria, Finland, The Netherlands and Sweden.
2 Background of the study
The scope of the study included the following:
The study focuses essentially on biorefineries related to pulp and paper manufacturing, and more precisely
chemical pulping, paper mills, and new technologies (defined in chapter 4). Chemical pulp manufacturing and
recycling are within the scope of CEPI’s membership, which is composed of pulp, paper and board producing
companies.
The study includes the most recent data and allows for periodical updates
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The aim of the study is to collect a robust database on biorefinery developments, which does not only depend on
‘official sources’ of information. The study is also a contribution to the CEPI 2050 Roadmap.
The aim of the study is to identify emerging bio-based products in the EU27, the UK, Norway and Switzerland.
Firstly, it was decided what constitutes a ‘biorefinery’ and what are the various categories. Definitions for other
bio-based products were agreed within Cepi and the Cepi Mirror Group in April 2020 and they are described in
full in chapter 4 of this report.
Current pulp and paper products are obvious bioproducts themselves and are already well established. These are
already well listed and reported by existing Cepi statistics. So, in the European biorefinery study, they were not
part of the scope.
Instead the focus was to identify emerging new bio-based products, which are not currently covered by Cepi
statistics. It was decided to use an earlier definition of bioproduct categories defined by Cepi (Appendix 1) as a
tool to differentiate product areas. Bioproduct categories and bio-based products are defined in chapter 5.
Final results are to be integrated to Cepi’s current database on bio-based products – existing and emerging.
3 Methodology
The methodology used in this study was divided into three (3) steps.
In step one (1), information for three biorefinery categories and their new bio-based products (detail listed in
Chapter 4, Definition of Biorefinery), was collected using public information available from sources like the
Internet, national pulp and paper associations, OECD reports, national statistic reports, EU studies on the
bioeconomy – e.g. BBI reports – and also using the NCP database. All data were collected into an Excel file, where
information was presented country by country in Europe (EU27, UK, Switzerland and Norway).
In step two (2) additional information on new bio-based products was requested from the companies who have
activities in Europe with a web-based survey organised by Webropol 1, the service provider. The categories of new
bio-based products were classified using the definitions set by Cepi 2. The categories are: materials, chemicals,
fuels, food/feed and cosmetics/pharmaceuticals for commercial and internal use. It was also pointed out in
survey that:
• In all cases the main part of the feedstock is of primary forest origin (wood fibres)
• All biorefineries in the study are related to Cepi members’ interest
• Facilities listed need to be in commercial production or planned by known industrial operator(s) or
investor(s)
In addition to Cepi’s definitions, NCP also used biorefinery definitions from step one (1) and presented certain
bio-based products as examples in each category. The attained information from this web-based survey was listed
in the same Excel file presented in step one (1) to crosscheck all information.
1 https://webropol.com/
2 Key definitions by CEPI (Appendix 1)
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In step three (3) a new web-based survey organised by Webropol targeted the institutions (universities and
research centre organisations) in Europe, which develop new bio-based products in their research projects. The
format of the survey was similar to those used in step two (2). These results are presented in Chapter 7 (R&D
programs and consortiums of the evolving bio-based products).
Finally, the value of the emerging bio-based products is evaluated at European level. This is based on volumes of
emerging bio-based products collected via step 1 and step 2 combined with price information of the bio-based
products. There is no single source for emerging new bio-based products, so in the study price estimates are
collected from various sources and derived from the NC Partnering database.
The scope of the study was to identify biorefineries and bio-based products in Europe including EU27 + Norway,
UK, Switzerland. These locations were identified. Most of the forest industry is located in 18 countries which have
associations and are members of Cepi. Any comparison on values and other numbers are done respectively within
the areas.
4 Definition of biorefinery
4.1 General
Several definitions of what a biorefinery is have been elaborated in the last decades. According to the US DOE 3, a
bio-refinery is intended as "an overall concept of a processing plant where biomass feedstock is converted and
extracted into a spectrum of valuable products".
Other sources define a biorefinery as a more specific concept, more closely derived from the concept of an oil
refinery in the petrochemical industry. For instance, a biorefinery is defined by de Jong et al. (2012) 4 as the
sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of marketable products (food, feed, materials, chemicals) and
energy (fuels, power, heat), using a wide variety of conversion technologies in an integrated manner. This
definition is also employed by the Bio-based Industry Consortium 5.
BIC 6 defines a biorefinery as an integrated production plant using biomass or biomass- derived feedstocks to
produce a range of value-added products and energy.
The EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) produced an interesting research brief 7 in 2018: ‘Bio-refineries distribution
in the EU’. It lists 803 bio-refineries and covers the production of bio-based chemicals including platform
chemicals, solvents, polymers, paints, coatings, inks, surfactants, cosmetics, adhesives, lubricants, plasticisers,
stabilisers, enzymes and agrochemicals, among others, liquid biofuels (including bioethanol, biodiesel and bio-
based jet fuel among others), bio-based composites and fibres including wood-plastic composites, natural fibres
3 US DOE, 1997, Energy, Environmental and Economics (e3) Handbook, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Washington D.C.
4 de Jong, E., Higson, A., Walsh, P., Wellisch, M., 2012. Bio-based Chemicals. Value Added Products from Biorefineries - Task 42 Biorefinery.
http://www.ieabioenergy.com/publications/bio- based-chemicals-value-added-products-from-biorefineries. IEA Bioenergy - Task 42
Biorefinery
5 https://biconsortium.eu/news/mapping-european-biorefineries
6 Bio-based Industries Consortium
7 Biorefineries distribution in the EU Research Brief, 2018.
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composites and different types of fabrics, among others and other types of energy derived from biomass
including electricity, heat and gas. 201 bio-refineries appear to be related to forestry. This is very good material,
however, detailed data are not publicly available.
In the study we are using general definition for the refinery as follows:
A BIOREFINERY IS AN OVERALL CONCEPT OF A PROCESSING PLANT WHERE FOREST-BASED FEEDSTOCK* IS
CONVERTED AND EXTRACTED INTO A SPECTRUM OF ADDED VALUE PRODUCTS.
*virgin and/or recycled fibres
In order to ensure holistic data collection, we divided biorefineries into three categories, which are used to
classify different types of biorefineries relevant to Cepi and its members. The same classification is to report the
results.
4.2 Category 1
Category 1: Biorefineries based on chemical pulping operations to produce various existing or evolving bio-based
products, fig. 1.
Biorefineries are mainly chemical pulp mills producing bio-based products alongside the traditional fibres for
paper, board, tissue, dissolving pulp etc. The pulp process may be kraft, sulphite, alkali, etc. and maybe in the
future based on Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES).
The primary pulping process is to refine wood components to cellulose fibres for further processing. Further
processing can be on-site (integrated model) or as a separate facility (non-integrated model).
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Figure 1. Biorefineries based on chemical pulping operations to produce various existing or evolving bio-based
products.
4.3 Category 2
Category 2: Biorefineries using virgin pulp and/or recycled fibres to produce evolving bio-based products, fig. 2.
Today’s papermaking plants are mainly producing paper, board and tissue manufacturing as integrated processes.
Some side streams of the papermaking processes are converted to new applications.
Value chains for paper, board and tissue are generally well established. At some point there will be a possibility
for side streams to be used for producing emerging bio-based products within integrated or non-integrated
conversion units.
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Figure 2. Biorefineries using virgin pulp or/and recycled fibres to produce evolving bio-based products.
4.4 Category 3
Category 3: Other biorefineries using lignocellulose as raw material to produce various existing or evolving bio-
based products, fig. 3.
This category is dedicated to defining new types of separation methods for wood refining.
Units are comparable to pulp mills, but are based on different types of processes, using chemical,
thermochemical, mechanical and/or physical treatments/reactions. Although the unit considered under Category
3 are not connected to pulp and paper mills, they belong to pulp and paper companies.
Separation technologies are for instance using hydrolysis, fermentation, enzymatic treatment, steam explosion
etc.
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Figure 3. Other biorefineries using lignocellulose as raw material to produce existing or evolving bio-based
products.
5 Emerging bio-based products
5.1 General
In all cases the feedstocks are of primary forest origin (wood). Bio-based products are classified as materials,
chemicals, fuels, food/feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics and then can be both for commercial and internal
use. Classification follows Cepi’s definition from 2017 (Appendix 1). Cepi has also compiled a comprehensive
poster publication on wood-based products and intermediate products (What tree can do?), which is presented in
Appendix 2.
Emerging bio-based products can be used as either intermediates or as final products. They all have a position in
the value chain even if sometimes they are further processed by the user, for example, as a business-to-business
product - or they are used by consumers as an end product, for example, as a business-to-consumer product. In
this survey both intermediates and end products have been identified and classified as per Cepi’s definition.
5.2 Materials
Materials are classified by Cepi as follows: natural fabric, dyes, pig iron, asphalt, roofing sheets, carbon fibre,
thermoplastics, synthetic viscose fibre, alternatives to metallic materials, bio-plastics, cellulose foams, flexible and
LCD screens, etc. In this study the defined materials are listed in more detail:
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5.2.1 Biochar
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that is made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes
(also called biomass). Biochar is made by a controlled process called pyrolysis with low oxygen, or dry distillation. 8
Another method to produce biochar-like material is hydrothermal carbonisation treatment (HCT). This method
can be used for upgrading biomass for solid fuel or material applications when the raw material includes a lot of
water. Typical raw material in the pulp and paper sector is sludge from wastewater treatment.
5.2.2 Bio-composite
A composite material (also called a composition material or shortened to composite, which is the common name)
is a material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical
properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual
components. 9 In this context the composite is material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with wood fibres
called fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) or fibre-reinforced polymer.
5.2.3 Cellulose nanofibres
Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) also called nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC). CNF also includes bacterial cellulose, which
refers to nano-structured cellulose produced by bacteria. CNF is a material composed of nanosized cellulose fibrils
with a high aspect ratio (length to width ratio). Typical fibril widths are 5-20 nanometers with a wide range of
lengths, typically several micrometres.
CNF suspensions are pseudoplastic and exhibit thixotropy. The property of certain gels or fluids that are thick
(viscous) under normal conditions but become less viscous when shaken or agitated. When the shearing forces
are removed the gel regains much of its original state. The fibrils are isolated from any cellulose containing source
including wood-based fibres (pulp fibres) through high-pressure, high temperature and high velocity impact
homogenization, grinding, microfluidisation or with appropriate enzymatic or chemical treatments, such as
TEMPO-mediated oxidation.
5.2.4 Kraft Lignin
Lignin is a wood substance, an aromatic polymer found in the cell wall of plants and is the binding substance in
natural fibres. Lignin is dissolved out along with the carbohydrates in the pulping process. 10 Kraft lignin is a lignin
separated from kraft black liquor via acidification processes, for example LignoBoost 11. Kraft lignin is mainly used
today as a fuel in the lime kiln to replace fossil fuels.
Modified lignin can be suitable for several industries such as automotive, construction, coating, plastics and
pharmaceutical industries. Refined lignin can replace oil-based phenols used in resins for plywood, OSB, LVL
veneer, paper laminate and insulation material. Other possible future uses are carbon fibre and coal used for
energy storage. 12
8 https://regenerationinternational.org/2018/05/16/what-is-biochar/
9 https://www.textileschool.com/
10 https://sustainability.cepi.org/glossary/
11 https://www.valmet.com/media/articles/up-and-running/new-technology/PEERS1stLignoBoostPlants/
12 https://www.storaenso.com/fi-fi/products/lignin
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5.2.5 Man-made-fibres
Man-made fibres (MMF) are as described, fibres made by man. MMF can be organic or inorganic. Organic MMF
can be made from natural materials like wood or made from synthetic polymers. 13 In this survey all the MMF
listed are wood based.
5.2.6 Microfibrillated cellulose
Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is produced by mechanical treatment with or without enzymatic or chemical pre-
treatment. The material consists of long and thin fibres which form a three-dimensional network, and these fibres
have crystalline as well as non-crystalline segments. MFC water suspensions possess high viscosity and yield
stress, it is shear thinning and has high water holding capacity. The size distribution of the fibres is wide, and even
if some fibres have diameters in nanoscale, there are a lot of bigger fibres as well. Moreover, the fibres are in a
network structure and interconnected to each other (it depends on the concentration of the suspension). 14
5.2.7 Nanocrystalline cellulose
Nanocrystalline cellulose or cellulose nanocrystals are produced from a native cellulose source, and are abundant,
renewable and biodegradable. They can be obtained from native fibres by an acid hydrolysis, giving rise to highly
crystalline and rigid (rod like) nanoparticles which are typically 50 - 300 nm in length. Instead of forming gels,
water dispersions of CNCs have a tendency to form chiral nematic liquid crystals above a critical concentration of
ca. 5-10%.
5.2.8 Powdered cellulose
Cellulose is processed into powder by mechanical mulching of fibrous plant material until disintegration into a
pulp. This pulp product is typically a white odourless substance made of fibres from plant material. The cellulose
is then extracted through chemical means and purified. 15
5.3 Chemicals
Chemicals are classified as follows by Cepi and include: adhesives, disinfectants and detergents, drilling fluids,
paint and dyes, etc. In this study the chemicals are listed in more detail as follows:
5.3.1 Biopolymer
Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by the cells of living organisms. In this survey biopolymers are
hemicellulose copolymers with high amounts of functional groups, good barrier properties and low viscosity
developed and patented by Ecohelix Ltd. Typical applications include various pulp and paper chemical and
cosmetics applications where the polymer´s properties can be utilized. Also, the polymers are highly efficient
ingredients in formulations for gas and grease barriers. 16
13 https://www.cirfs.org/sustainability/sustainability-elements/man-made-fibres
14 https://www.exilva.com/blog/microfibrillated-cellulose-or-nanocellulose
15 https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/phar6157s13/home/powdered-cellulose
16
https://www.ecohelix.se/index.html
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5.3.2 Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas, it is also a by-product of burning fossil fuels from fossil carbon
deposits, such as oil, gas and coal, of burning biomass, of land use changes and of industrial processes (e.g.,
cement production). 17 In this survey carbon dioxide is a product refined from biogas production, but in can also
be refined from other sources like flue gases. Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, in fire extinguishers, for
inflating life rafts and life jackets, blasting coal, foaming rubber and plastics, promoting the growth of plants in
greenhouses, immobilizing animals before slaughter, and in carbonated beverages18.
5.3.3 Dimethyl ether
Dimethyl ether (DME, also known as methoxymethane) is the simplest ether, organic compound with the formula
CH3OCH3, simplified to C2H6O. DME is a colourless volatile poisonous liquid compound used as a solvent, fuel,
aerosol, propellant and refrigerant.19
5.3.4 Lignosulphonates
Lignosulfonates or sulfonated lignin are water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymers: they are by-products
from sulphite pulping. Lignosulfonates have a wide range of uses, such as animal feed, pesticides, surfactants,
additives in oil drilling, stabilizers in colloidal suspensions, and as plasticizers in concrete admixtures.
5.3.5 Methanol
Methanol is the simplest alcohol, consisting of a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group. Raw methanol
originating from the kraft cooking process is often used as a support fuel – typically combusted in the recovery
boiler or lime kiln. Methanol is usually the last fossil-based chemical in a kraft mill, preventing the establishment
of a completely fossil-free mill. 20
The chemical recovery concept (ANDRITZ process solution: A-Recovery+) for methanol purification uses a mineral
oil-based extraction process. Purified methanol can be used as a low-NOx fuel for combustion in the recovery
boiler or lime kiln, or as a support fuel in the sulfuric acid plant. Commercial-grade bio-methanol can also be sold
for revenue or used in ClO2 generation if performed on-site. 21
5.3.6 Monoethylene glycol
Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is a clear, colourless, virtually odourless, and slightly viscous liquid. It is miscible with
water, alcohols, and many organic compounds, and has the formula C2H6O2. It is the most important of the
commercially available ethylene glycols as it has many industrial applications22. It is key raw material for
polyesters and antifreeze formulations. Typical uses are for manufacturing bottles, packaging, textiles and de-
icing fluids. 23
17 https://sustainability.cepi.org/glossary/
18 https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-dioxide
19 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dimethyl-ether
20 https://www.andritz.com/products-en/group/pulp-and-paper/pulp-production/kraft-pulp/a-recovery-plus/methanol-purification
21 https://www.andritz.com/products-en/group/pulp-and-paper/pulp-production/kraft-pulp/a-recovery-plus/methanol-purification
22 https://www.solventis.net/products/glycols/mono-ethylene-glycol/
23 https://www.upmbiochemicals.com/products/glycols/
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5.3.7 Monopropylene glycol
Monopropylene glycol (MPG) is a clear, colourless, viscous liquid with a characteristic odour and the formula
C6H14O3. It is fully miscible in water and is also miscible with many organic solvents. This solvency, combined with
low toxicity and a low evaporation rate, makes it a chemical which is a very useful reactive intermediate in a
range of industries 24. It carries hygroscopic properties and is miscible in all rations with water, alcohols, esters,
ketones and amines. 25 Versatile ingredient for polyester resins and industrial liquids. Typical uses are for
composites, antifreeze and detergents. 26
5.3.8 Sulphuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a colourless, odourless, and viscous oily liquid. It is soluble in water with release of heat. It is
corrosive to metals and tissue. It will char wood and most other organic matter on contact but is unlikely to cause
a fire. 27
In chemical pulping the sulfuric acid is produced from sulphur compounds from odorous gases. Sulphuric acid
produced at a mill is a further step towards closed chemical circulation and further improves the environmental
performance of a kraft pulp mill.
5.3.9 Tall oil products
Tall oil products are based on crude tall oil, which is isolated from acidified skimming of partially concentrated
black liquor. They are collected and refined at special plants. The refined tall oil products are natural raw
materials for many industrial processes. These bio-based raw materials replace fossil-based ingredients in various
everyday products. They are used, for example, in paints, coatings and printing inks. In the future, crude tall oil
will be an important ingredient in a variety of products that have antibacterial or cholesterol-lowering
properties. 28 Crude tall oil can be also refined in diesel and naphtha via hydrogenation. Naphtha may also be used
to replace fossil raw materials in plastics and other chemical industry products.
5.4 Fuels
Fuels are classified as follows by Cepi: bio-cellulosic ethanol, bio-oils, biogas, biodiesel, heating oil, etc.
5.4.1 Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a fuel that contains energy derived from a biological source. For example, rapeseed oil or fish liver oil
can be used in place of diesel fuel in modified engines. A commercial application is the use of modified rapeseed
oil, which as rapeseed methyl ester (RME) can be used in modified diesel engines and is sometimes named
biodiesel. 29 Biodiesel can also be refined from raw tall oil.
24 https://www.solventis.net/products/glycols/di-propylene-glycol/
25 https://www.monarchchemicals.co.uk/Information/News-Events/722-/What-is-Mono-Propylene-Glycol
26 https://www.upmbiochemicals.com/products/glycols/
27 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sulfuric-acid#section=Experimental-Properties
28 https://www.forchem.com/products/
29 https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/biodiesel
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5.4.2 Bioethanol
A biofuel produced by the fermentation of plants rich in sugar/starch (e.g. sugar cane, corn). 30 Sugars can also be
originated from wood via acid or autohydrolysis.
5.4.3 Biogas
Gas, rich in methane, is produced by the fermentation of animal dung, human sewage or crop residues in an air-
tight container. It is used as a fuel to heat stoves, lamps, run small machines and to generate electricity. The
residues of biogas production are used as a low-grade organic fertiliser. Biogas fuels do not usually cause any
pollution to the atmosphere, and because they come from renewable energy resources they have great potential
for future use. 31
5.4.4 Bio-oil
Bio-oil is typically manufactured via pyrolysis. It is a liquid, typically dark red-brown to almost black depending on
the chemical composition of the biomass. Bio-oil is chemically a complex mixture of water, guaiacols, catecols,
syringols, vanillins, furancarboxaldehydes, isoeugenol, pyrones, acetic acid, formic acid, and other carboxylic
acids. It also contains other major groups of compounds, including hydroxyaldehydes, hydroxyketones, sugars,
carboxylic acids, and phenolics.
The bio-oils can be used either as whole bio-oil, fractionated bio-oil, or extracted specific chemicals. The potential
applications of the bio-oils include fuels in boilers, engines, and turbines for heat and power generation. Bio-oil
can be converted to transportation biofuel by upgrading processes.
5.4.5 Lignin oil
Lignin oil is result of process where solid lignin is converted into a liquid lignin oil using catalytic, energy-efficient
process without pressure, below boiling point, without toxic emissions or hazardous residues. Lignin oil is an
intermediate product and is delivered to refineries where it is refined into bio-gasoline and biodiesel, in the same
way as ordinary fossil crude oil. 32
5.4.6 Syngas
Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Syngas is
usually a product of gasification of biomass and the main application is electricity generation. Syngas is
combustible and can be used as a fuel of internal combustion engines.
5.5 Food and Feed
Food and Feed are classified as follows by Cepi: flavourings, preservatives, texturizers and emulsifiers, anti-caking
agents and stabilizers, etc.
30 https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/bioethanol
31 https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/biogas
32 https://renfuel.se/technology/?lang=en
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5.5.1 Carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or cellulose gum is a synthetic derivative of cellulose, a naturally occurring
polysaccharide that is a component of the cell walls of green plants. The base-catalysed reaction between
cellulose and chloroacetic acid confers water solubility to the resulting carboxymethylcellulose product that is
absent in cellulose. 33
CMC is used in food under the E number E466 or E469 (when it is enzymatically hydrolysed) as a viscosity modifier
or thickener, and to stabilize emulsions in various products including ice cream. It is also a constituent of many
non-food products, such as toothpaste, laxatives, diet pills, water-based paints, detergents, textile sizing, reusable
heat packs, and various paper products.
5.5.2 Microcrystalline cellulose
MCC is a purified, partly depolymerized cellulose that is manufactured by treating alpha cellulose, obtained from
plant materials, with mineral acids. The DP is typically below 400 and no more than 10% of particles are sized less
than 5 μm. MCC has an E-code, E460, granted by the European Food Safety Authority. 34
MCC can be used as anti-caking agent, emulsion stabiliser, replaces fats and oils in low fat foods and reduced fat
ice cream, to modify texture (thickens with favourable mouth feel), improves adhesion of sauces, tabletting
agent. 35
5.5.3 Vanillin
Vanillin (C8H8O3) is the major flavour constituent of vanilla. It has a wide range of applications in food industry as a
flavour agent and in perfumery as an additive. Other applications include antioxidant additive, antifoaming agent,
vulcanisation inhibitor and chemical precursor for pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. There are two
commercial types of vanillin: pure vanillin, which is obtained by chemical synthesis, i.e., derived from guaiacol or
lignosulphonates and vanilla extract obtained from the pod of tropical Vanilla orchid. 36
5.6 Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics are classified as follows by Cepi: essential oils, medication, cosmetics, personal
hygiene products, etc. The survey did not reveal significant new activity in this area, however, we identified some
products 37such as wound dressing and hydrogel in the field.
33
https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/phar6157s13/home/carboxymethylcellulose-salts
34
http://www.fao.org/3/w6355e/w6355e0l.htm
35
https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/phar6157s13/home/microcrystalline-cellulose
36 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2009.05.008
37 https://www.upm.com/
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